CODE BROWN: a panic stop on the freeway
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
I'll be rude to cars any day over having an issue. The cars I pass on the way to and from work are so used to seeing me that they have a tendency to move over to the right when they see/hear me coming.
I am sure they think I am insane but if you have never ridden a motorcycle in city traffic you wouldn't understand. OR even better yet if you do not do it on a daily basis in rush hour traffic you won't understand.
The way that I ride, the speeds I ride at where I sit in each lane etc etc are all based on me being able to see ahead of in order to configure my course. Yes, there are plenty of factors that are out of my control however I do what I do for me and my own safety.
Every time I decide that I am going to ride conservatively and as slow as the flow of traffic I have issues. Nearly hit by cars changing lanes, cars swerving or hitting their brakes for no reason at all, people talking on the phone, texting, using Ipad, the list goes on and on and on. Thus, I do what i gotta do with no regard for what is polite or rude.
I suggest you do the same. Each ride is merely trying to stay alive.
I am sure they think I am insane but if you have never ridden a motorcycle in city traffic you wouldn't understand. OR even better yet if you do not do it on a daily basis in rush hour traffic you won't understand.
The way that I ride, the speeds I ride at where I sit in each lane etc etc are all based on me being able to see ahead of in order to configure my course. Yes, there are plenty of factors that are out of my control however I do what I do for me and my own safety.
Every time I decide that I am going to ride conservatively and as slow as the flow of traffic I have issues. Nearly hit by cars changing lanes, cars swerving or hitting their brakes for no reason at all, people talking on the phone, texting, using Ipad, the list goes on and on and on. Thus, I do what i gotta do with no regard for what is polite or rude.
I suggest you do the same. Each ride is merely trying to stay alive.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 1,967
From: PA
I'm a new rider, haven't had a code brown moment yet, I'm still rockin' tighty whities. 
I have over a million miles under my belt in a car, including some mistakes along the way. Sooner or later that moment will come on a bike. There are so many bad drivers, it's practically inevitable.
I have over a million miles under my belt in a car, including some mistakes along the way. Sooner or later that moment will come on a bike. There are so many bad drivers, it's practically inevitable.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Central Islip, NY
when my dad taught me how to drive back in the 70's the one thing he always stressed to me was have a way out, when I started riding bikes I took that notion with me. I did have a moment like you when I brought home my new to me 1972 sportster with drum brakes and the car in front of me did what happened to you, just at the end of the entrance he slammed on his brakes for some stupid reason, I was able to get the bike between him and the shoulder because I was afraid he was going to jump into highway and take me out if I went that side of him. The next day I hunted down a dual disc front end for that bike !!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,809
Likes: 38,653
From: Post Falls, ID
Told you so, part of defensive driving is profiling cars and their drivers.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
Usually, the two things are synonymous. Slowing down and putting plenty of room between you and the other car was a good idea.
The majority of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are a failure to yield and almost always at some kind of intersection. So, watching the points where traffic merges is a good idea... BUT! You should never forget to pay attention to the stuff right in front of you. The mistake made was in assuming that the car in front of you would merge normally. Key word? Assume. Losing sight of the car in front of you should have been a flag to be cautious.
I always have a bailout lane. Odds are, you could have gotten around the car by splitting lanes: I do it all the time. It's a bit nerve wracking, but very doable.
As far as braking and swerving goes, you can easily do both. First, aim for your bail out lane, then brake like a ****. I do this all the time too. Braking while swerving? Not smart. High or low siding is a real possibility.
Sometimes, it is better to be lucky than good. Thank your guardian angel, but try to avoid over working them.
Ride safe! Have fun. :-)
DECISION #2: where to pay close attention? (result: mistake)
DECISION #3: brake, or swerve? (result: correct!)
As far as braking and swerving goes, you can easily do both. First, aim for your bail out lane, then brake like a ****. I do this all the time too. Braking while swerving? Not smart. High or low siding is a real possibility.
The Lincoln pulled forward. Not by much, but by enough
Ride safe! Have fun. :-)
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